Keeping your kids safe in the heat

With the temperatures in Australia reaching record highs, keeping babies and children healthy in the heat is paramount.

1. Never leave children alone in a car

This is a no-brainer and there should be zero tolerance on this one. But unbelievably, children are still being left in cars. Sometimes accidentally.

Every year in Australia, over 5,000 children are rescued after being left unattended in a car. And safety experts are warning parents to be vigilant.

According to the NRMA, on a typical Australian summer day, the temperature inside a parked car can be 30° - 40°C hotter than outside the car. The sun literally turns your car into an oven. On a 30°C day, the temperature inside the car could be as high as 70°C.

"During a heatwave, such as the one Australia is experiencing right now, cars can get extraordinarily hot when the air con isn’t pumping through. It’s vital you don’t leave children unattended in the car as it’s just simply too hot and they can overheat a lot quicker than us. Easiest and best advice is to bring your baby with you, even for those five-minute convenience store trips."

Kidsafe Victoria's 'Do Not Leave Children in Cars' campaign. To assist in raising community awareness about this issue, please click here.

Remember:

- Do not leave children in the car ever - take them with you. Even if you're ducking into the convenience store to grab milk.

- Know where your keys are. Did you know, according to Kidsafe Victoria, many children are unintentionally locked in cars with the car keys. So keep your keys on you at all times.

- Do not used your car as a substitute babysitter. Don't leave napping bub in the car - ever! Read more about the health riskshere.

And what if you see an unattended child in a car? Kidsafe Victoria has this chart:

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2. Lighten up

Dress babies and small children in lightweight, breathable fabrics. Think cotton and linen in light colours. For any skin exposed, make sure you apply a sunscreen designed for littlies. And reapply if bub is in and out of water, like a paddling pool.

3. Monitor their bedroom temperature

Especially for babies, use a nursery thermometer to maintain a comfortable heat in your child's bedroom. If you have air-conditioning, go for between 16 to 20 degrees. Keep all blinds and curtains closed during the day and use a fan to circulate the air, but ensure it’s not blowing directly on the baby. To help your baby sleep, dress him in a singlet wrapped with muslin cloth, and have the bare minimum number of items in the cot, including toys and rattles to maximise ventilation.

4. Stay cool while breastfeeding

Don't fret if your baby’s number of feeds increases during extreme heat. If breastfeeding, try placing a towel or cloth nappy between you and your baby’s body, as well as a cool, damp face-washer in the crook of your arm to make it more comfortable for you both. Stay well hydrated, by having a large glass of water at each breastfeed. And check that your baby has at least five to six wet nappies each day.

5. Heat rash

Some babies are susceptible to heat rash (prickly heat). It causes very small pinkish-red or clear blisters on the face, neck and in the skin folds, especially in the nappy area.

If you notice a heat rash, gently sponge them with lukewarm water or bathe them in a cool bath but make sure to dry all their skin folds afterwards. If the rash persists after a couple of days, visit your GP.

5. Driving

Avoid travelling with your baby in extreme heat where possible. If you do need to travel by car with your baby, try making the trip in the coolest parts of the day, which is usually early morning. Use sunshades on windows and never cover your baby’s capsule with a rug or towel to shade them from the sun as this will restrict air flow around your baby. And don’t forget to take a toddler drinking cup. Try a spill proof one like The Philips Avent Sip, No Drip Cup. And see point one - never leave babies or young children alone in a car, no matter what the weather.